Week 3: Writing Writing Machines

Tuesday, January 29

• In class:
  • Discussion of combinatorial poetry
  • Discussion:
    • “The Policeman’s Beard is Half Constructed” and Markov Chain Generators.
    • “Taroko Gorge“
    • “Taroko Gorge and its Remixes“
    • Taper
• Assignment:
  • Readings:
    • Electronic Literature, pgs. 51-53
    • Explore one or several editions of “NaNoGenMo” (click on the “Issues” on the top menu to see the novels) and sample some of the completed novels.
    • Explore the Bot Collection in the ELC3.
    • Use the “What Would I Say?” app on your Facebook account.
  • Write a 1-paragraph response to one of the NaNoGenMo novels that most drew your attention. Post your response as a comment on this post in Facebook Group, along with a link to the work you responded to. Your response is due before class on Thursday.

Thursday, January 31

• In class:
  • Discussion of 3rd generation combinatorial literature.
• Assignment:
  • Readings:
    • Electronic Literature, pgs. 54-68.
    • “The Garden of Forking Paths” by Jorge Luis Borges
    • Read Wikipedia entry on Choose Your Own Adventure books.
    • Read Underground Kingdom by Edward Packard (I recommend downloading the PDF).
  • Write a 1-paragraph response to The Underground Kingdom or “The Garden of Forking Paths.” Post it in our Facebook Group before class on Tuesday.